Some people want NPR to go away because they are wasting our tax dollars. But after discovering Adam Arcuragi on NPR's site, I'm going to say my tax dollars are being put to good use. Arcuragi and the LCS (I am never typing the full name again) sound like you put Langhorne Slim, 16 Horsepower and The Head and The Heart in a blender, and not just one of those pussy speeds, the high powered one where you make smoothies. AA & The LCS sound like a traveling tent revival act. At some points, dark and foreboding. [...]
![Dr. Dog – Be The Void [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/4046277_lg.jpg)
Soon after receiving my long-awaited advanced copy of Be The Void , Oz asked me what I thought. "I'm digging it. It's old school Dr. Dog. A return to the We All Belong years." I liked their last record, Shame Shame , but it felt like they were trying to outdo its previous record, Fate , which is the high-mark in their catalog. On this release, it feels like the band stopped over-thinking - just cut themselves loose and let things come more naturally. Be The Void harkens back to the day when [...]
They Black Keys just released their video for "Gold On The Ceiling." Not quite as many laughs as previous videos, but it'll do the trick. Tweet
Some guy named Joe Pug has a new album coming out on April 24th. He seems to be somewhat talented with a bright future. He's going to be touring all over God's green earth in the coming months, including a stop at SxSW. He's got all sort of shit on his website . Free song 7 sampler. Joe Pug Live at Lincoln Hall for $5 , and the aforementioned tour dates. Go check it out, give him your email and let Joe send you sweet nothings via the internet. [...]
![Heartless Bastards – Arrow [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/4040772_lg.jpg)
2012 is shaping up to be all about the women of indie music. We covered incredible albums from First Aid Kit and Sharon van Etten already and Heartless Bastards are equally deserving of praise. Erika Wennerstrom is the heart and soul of Heartless Bastards and she's at her best on Arrow . Arrow is the fourth album released from Heartless Bastards since 2005 and the first on Partisan Records. The album opens with "Marathon," a down-temp song for those that have gotten off track and found themselves lost in life. [...]
I first came across Sharon Van Etten when she popped up on Megafaun's take away show . Being a Megafaun fanatic, my interest was immediately piqued. Combine that with one of our favorite sites, Muzzle of Bees, showing her a steady stream of love; I knew I had to be missing something. So I got my hands on Epic and became enamored. As I spun Epic countless times, my anticipation for the follow-up grew exponentially. From the first note of the lead single Serpents, I knew my wait was well worth it. Sharon has such a unique [...]
Bowerbirds are getting ready to get up in your grill and harmonize the shit out of you with The Clearing. The Clearing is coming out on March 6th via Dead Oceans. I have to say I have never been a massive fan of these guys but I am loving both of these tracks. So that means that they have suddenly become much better or that I was a dope and completely overlooked their previous efforts. Your opinion is welcomed below. Says the PR Machine: Throughout The Clearing, Bowerbirds' Beth Tacular and Phil Moore share the [...]
I've never been to Athens, GA but from all accounts, it is a special place full of a rich history. Patterson Hood has enlisted the help of a number of friends in putting this song together. Here is the backstory on the song from the PR release. Some of the greatest songs were written to give voice to anxiety, despair and unwanted change. "After it's Gone", a new single just released by Patterson Hood and the Downtown 13, was inspired by the threat of a Walmart in the heart of the downtown that nurtured the band's career. [...]
J. Tillman left The Fleet Foxes and shortly thereafter, he convinced Aubrey Plaza to act batshit crazy for his first music video. Job well done J. as I have always found Aubrey to be pretty hot and watching her eat flowers, dance with hipsters and smack J. Tillman around has always been a fantasy of mine. Father John Misty's debut, Fear Fun, will be released on May 1st via Sub Pop. I think they are a new label out of Seattle. Chances are you'll be seeing Mr. Tillman in Austin. Whether you see Ms. Plaza pop out [...]
The problem with First Aid Kit is that their singing is so damn good that you'll overlook their equally good songwriting. The album opens with this verse on its title track: Now the pale morning sings of forgotten things She plays a tune for those who wish to overlook the fact that they've been blindly deceived By those who preach and pray and teach But she falls short and the night explodes in laughter. I fell in love with the debut album released by these Swedish sisters in [...]
Little Hurricane had quite a year in 2011. While many bands struggle for years to fight for the attention of fans, labels and the media, Little Hurricane found the buzz almost immediately. The two-piece band formed after lead singer/guitarist Anthony Catalano posted an ad on Craigslist for a drummer. I've used Craigslist to sell a couch, area rug, and old dog dishes and I've encountered my fair share of characters. I can only imagine what type of humans emerge when you post and ad for a drummer in San Diego. Catching a drummer like Celeste Spina is like [...]
Remember the Seinfield episode when Elaine was dating a guy who she thought was African-American and in turn, he thought she was Latino. Sometimes it is just so easy to make a snap conclusion. At the end of the day, they both figured out they were both white and headed off to The Gap. Well upon listening to Pickwick's brand of neo-soul, it would be easy to conjure up images of an African-American fronting some white hipsters as they tear through their EP. But nope, they are just some boring white dudes like me. However, unlike me, [...]
Another solo effort from the lead singer of a great band. For me, these are always met with a roll of the eyes and low expectations. Alot of times, the songs come off as castoffs from the main band's output or the lead singer just trying to broaden their horizon in a way that never fits. It never really satisfies my jones but coming off what I considered to be a subpar Hold Steady album, I was anxious to hear what Finn had up his sleeve. On Clear Heart Full Eyes, Finn manages to walk that delicate line [...]
There are not many bands that can take me to a state of euphoria like Trampled By Turtles. Getting an email about a new album can turn any crappy day into a great day. Stars and Satellites will be released on April, 10 via the fine folks at Thirty Tigers. I think I speak for the entirety of the HearYa crew in saying that this was one of our most anticipated releases of the year. Below is the lead single, Alone, and a video on the making of the album. If you have never seen them live, [...]
![Yellow Ostrich's Marathon Runner [new mp3, SXSW 2012]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/4007737_lg.jpg)
Yellow Ostrich is set to release their sophomore album, Strange Land , on March 6th. This album should mark a step forward for the band. Their previous album, The Mistress , was self-produced and created by Alex Schaaf doing it all. He played every instrument on the album. Strange Land is also self-produced, but Schaaf is joined by multi-instrumentalist Jon Natchez, drummer Michael Tapper, and engineer Beau Sorenson (Death Cab for Cutie, Sparklehorse). The end result should be a much fuller and more dramatic sound. "Marathon Runner," the first single, sends that message [...]
FYI, the NOW! music series continues with NOW That's What I Call Country Ballads (seriously) or, their alternate title... NOW That's What I Call Music for Whoopsily Impregnating Your High School Sweetheart and Then Being Forced to Marry Her by her Mustached Father Who She'll Call 'Daddie' For The Rest Of Your Lives and Eating 95% of Your Meals at Chain Restaurants and Frequently Getting Bright Red Sunburns and also Believing Kenny Chesney is Anything More than a Glorified Karaoke Singer and then Getting Pissed Because Your Wife Weighs Twice as Much as Keith Urban And Isn't Nearly [...]
Bruce Springsteen is releasing his new album Wrecking Ball on March 6th. Here's a video (with lyrics) of the first single, "We Take Care of Our Own." Tweet
![River Whyless – A Stone, A Leaf, An Unfound Door [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3999687_lg.jpg)
River Whyless came to us via an email from one of their fans. She said, "If you have some time to take a listen you won't be sorry." No lofty band comparisons included and no hipster name-dropping - just a bold proclamation. Not knowing if I was about to hear electronica, metal or some blend of the both, I took a listen and was immediately floored. Turns out they are a four piece from Boone, NC and they kick out an earnest, upbeat brand of Appalachian folk. The two main songwriters are Ryan O'Keefe and Halli Anderson and [...]
Ben Nichols has been playing some new Lucero tunes during his solo tour last Spring and Women and Work is the album I'm most looking forward to this year. It'll be released on March 13th, right before they hit Austin for SxSW. I expressed my regrets to Woody yesterday for missing Lucero two years ago after our SxSW party. He informed me that I was indeed there and that I had a great time. I think this strange form of amnesia is a common phenomenon among Lucero fans... Here's a brief trailer for the album: [...]
Exciting news for the best thing to come out of Alabama since DBT. ATO is putting out their full length debut titled Boys & Girls on 4/10/12. We had the pleasure of having them in for a session this past December and it was jaw-dropping good. We heard a couple of the new tunes during the session and I can safely say that Boys & Girls is going to be flat out amazing. Look for them at SxSW. In the meantime, enjoy them ripping this tune below. I assume its a cover but I can't tell you who the original [...]
HearYa: An Indie Music Blog
Lana Del Rey - Without You (Kill Paris Remix) [Dubstep]
Download: James Blake Live Album (Unofficial)
Miike Snow - “Paddling Out” Jacques Lu Cont Remix (MP3 Stream)
Iron & Wine and Patty Griffin
New single from Gemini Club
